Your thoughts on this red-stitched Aufklarung Abteilung 3 Strap

[MilitaryCollect]

Hello,

May I have your thoughts on this strap please. Can this be from a red-piped AA3 waffenrock? The base color is much darker than it's yellow piped waffenrock counterpart.

Thank you,

Chris

[Johnny R]

It is pink and is for Aufklärungs-Abteilung (mot.) 3, they were formed from Kraftfahr troop and had pink piping. Formed for Panzer Divsison 3.

The other unit- "Divisions Aufklärungs-Abteilung 3" also used "A-3" in golden yellow and was formed from the 9th Kav. Regiment.

[afrikasandman]

Its pink for Pz, not red as was mentioned. Why would Artillery ever need recon elements? Its a nice strap but the estand price is insane. Matt

[MilitaryCollect]

Your thoughts on this red-stitched Aufklarung Abteilung 3 Strap

Hello,

Yes, panzer pink it is and thank you! Could this strap have been worn on a AA3 waffenrock or a AA3 panzer wrap or either?

Chris

[Fred Green]

Hello,

It is a waffenrock shoulder board by the looks of it.

Fred

[MilitaryCollect]

Hello,

Thanks Fred, that's what another very qualified member has stated. It's an A.A. 3 pink-panzer piped waffenrock board. A very rare bird - but not as rare as the holy grail of straps: the pink-piped black panzer wrap A.A. 3 strap of which only a few are known to exist.

The market will determine the value of this very rare A.A. 3 waffenrock strap and there are no hurries. The lineage between this unit and the early formation of the D.A.K. and it's early presence in North Afrika is unquestionable.

Chris

[pauke]

Aa 3

The officers of AA 3 in Africa wore golden yellow and the one EM I knew of the unit came from the "yellow" tradition as well. My information is directly from the former adjutant to the commander Gerd von Fallois and RKT Winrich "Teddy" Behr. Not so sure that the pink AA 3 fellows made the trip there.

[Johnny R]

The officers of AA 3 in Africa wore golden yellow and the one EM I knew of the unit came from the "yellow" tradition as well. My information is directly from the former adjutant to the commander Gerd von Fallois and RKT Winrich "Teddy" Behr. Not so sure that the pink AA 3 fellows made the trip there.

At 1400 US a pair I can understand why they might have changed to golden yellow.

[afrikasandman]

It is a nice strap and without a doubt for a waffenrock, uncommon but they are around. Matt

[MilitaryCollect]

Matt,

I think these straps are rarer than you think. Let anyone who has a pink piped A.A.3 waffenrock strap post theirs. I'll bet there is less than say 20 out there.

Chris

[echoe]

A3

yes, they are scarce and desirable. i think what was suggested was that a single strap is not worth $700.

[Tim O'Keefe]

The officers of AA 3 in Africa wore golden yellow and the one EM I knew of the unit came from the "yellow" tradition as well. My information is directly from the former adjutant to the commander Gerd von Fallois and RKT Winrich "Teddy" Behr. Not so sure that the pink AA 3 fellows made the trip there.

Agree, not sure this pink strap is related to Afrika other than to precede it by several years. This board is from AA3 in Afrika. Bet there are less than 20 of these still out there...

[afrikasandman]

Chris,

it is an uncommon strap and no one is arguing that fact and I have no idea how many may or may not be out there. Its interesting as most of the A 3 boards I have seen are pipped in Kav yellow so its an oddity for sure.

Like anything in this hobby price is very subjective. I have paid 1500+ for some sets of boards, it just comes down to how bad does one want them for their collection. I like it and its without a doubt very uncommon and as the owner you should ask what you feel is the right price. I would be a liar if I said I wasn't interested in the board, but I'm sure we all know that here.

I do appreciate you posting it, its always nice to see something that is uncommon. I do enjoy shoulder boards and uncommon plus shoulder straps makes me happy. Matt

Matt,

I think these straps are rarer than you think. Let anyone who has a pink piped A.A.3 waffenrock strap post theirs. I'll bet there is less than say 20 out there.

Chris

[90th Light]

Million dollar question,

Exactly what branch of service colours were A.A.3 wearing in Afrika. There is no doubt that Kav. golden yellow was being worn. However, why are golden yellow tropical shoulder boards so hard to find and golden yellow soutache tropical caps nearly impossible to find ???

Did EM & NCO's of A.A.3 wear more pink of armored cars and green of motorcycles than Kav golden yellow in Afrika ???

Also I have seen single cut off dark green continental straps that were found in German soldiers packs from Afrika. I can only speculate and not say for sure why the German soldier had such a strap but I have seen them from time to time in NZ veteran brought back lots.

Is the A.A.3 strap which started this such an example and is it worth US$700 ???

Who can say ?

"Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder",

Chris

[echoe]

aa 3 etc.

"The officers of AA 3 in Africa wore golden yellow and the one EM I knew of the unit came from the "yellow" tradition as well. My information is directly from the former adjutant to the commander Gerd von Fallois and RKT Winrich "Teddy" Behr. Not so sure that the pink AA 3 fellows made the trip there."

a reliable cite.... good info